authoritarian leaders

Question 1

Economic Conditions Hitler (Germany, 1933-1945)

Answer 1

Great Depression (1929) → Mass unemployment (6M Germans jobless by 1932). Hyperinflation crisis (1923).

Question 2

Economic Conditions Castro (Cuba, 1959-2008)

Answer 2

Economic inequality → US control over sugar industry. Corrupt Batista regime favored elites.

Question 3

Weak Political System Hitler (Germany, 1933-1945)

Answer 3

Weimar Republic instability → Proportional representation led to weak coalition governments. Article 48 → Gave president emergency powers, misused by Hitler.

Question 4

Weak Political System Castro (Cuba, 1959-2008)

Answer 4

Batista’s dictatorship (1952-1959) → Corrupt, lacked legitimacy. No strong democratic traditions in Cuba.

Question 5

Use of Propaganda (Germany, 1933-1945)

Answer 5

Joseph Goebbels’ Ministry of Propaganda → Radio, posters, mass rallies. Blamed Jews & Communists for economic failures.

Question 6

Use of Propaganda Castro (Cuba, 1959-2008)

Answer 6

Revolutionary speeches “history will absolve me” & radio (Radio Rebelde). Used anti-US & anti-imperialist messaging to gain popular support.

Question 7

Use of Force (Germany, 1933-1945)

Answer 7

SA & SS suppressed opposition (street violence, assassinations). Reichstag Fire (1933) → Used as pretext to eliminate Communists.

Question 8

Use of Force (Cuba, 1959-2008)

Answer 8

Guerrilla warfare (Sierra Maestra campaign). Batista used violence, leading to backlash & increased support for Castro.

Question 9

Ideology (Germany, 1933-1945)

Answer 9

Nazism → Anti-communism, nationalism, Lebensraum (expansionism), racial purity.

Question 10

Ideology (Cuba, 1959-2008)

Answer 10

Communism/Socialism → Land redistribution, economic self-sufficiency, anti-capitalism.

Question 11

Impact of War (Germany, 1933-1945)

Answer 11

WWI defeat & Treaty of Versailles → German resentment, demand for revenge.

Question 12

Impact of War (Cuba, 1959-2008)

Answer 12

Cold War context → US-backed Batista vs. Soviet-aligned Castro.

Question 13

Consolidation of Power Use of Force (Germany, 1933-1945)

Answer 13

Night of the Long Knives (1934) → Purged SA leaders. Gestapo & SS eliminated opposition.

Question 14

Consolidation of Power Use of Force (Cuba, 1959-2008)

Answer 14

Execution & imprisonment of Batista supporters. 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion justified crackdowns on dissent.

Question 15

Control of Opposition (Germany, 1933-1945)

Answer 15

Banned political parties (1933). Nuremberg Laws (1935) → Excluded Jews. Concentration camps for enemies of the state.